The Grenada gazette., 1887-10-22

know they discharged him the nex
day, and don't think they have hat
q clerk who smokes since then.
On the next day, precisely at tel
o'clock. Howard Bent stepped into tht
office of Jones & Co. During the brie
interview he very credtably impressed
himself upon the members of the firm
and arrangements were made for him
to enter their employ at once. The
pay would be small at first, but the
promise was given that it should be i'll
creased just as fast as he would make
his services more valuable. He was tt
board at home and was to have two
evenings each week to himself.
On his first evening at home his
mother had long talk with him in
reference to his manner OF conducting
himself not only at the store, but on
the street and everywhere.
Il am so desirous that you may
succeed in this" she said, "and it is
very important that you commence
right, and win the full confidence OF
your employers. To do this means
more than the observance of pleasant
manners in their presence. 1t means
thorough honesty in all things, and
that you shall really be what you
would have them think you are. This
kind of reputation is the only one that
is lasting or worth having"
"There is one thing in particular"
she continued, (which wish to speak
to you about l fear you are too
careless in sele citing your as
sociates. You have never been
as careful as would like, and there are
reasons why you should be more par
ticular now than ever before. That
Dick Bray who often walks home with
you as far as the gate, has never APP
peared to me like fit companion for
you; would sooner you would keep
away from him as much as possible.
And let me beg of you not to yield
TO the evil influences of such as he.'
Never fear, MOTHER replied How
ard hurriedly and i'll a rather nervous
manner. 'Iam getting along splendid
ly at the store. Mr.. Jones gave me
quite compliment to-day, and I feel
sure that I shall work my way into
good position there before many
"
Dick was not seen for several days
after this, and the mother began to feel
more easy.
Hello, Bent" said rough voice as
4 coarse looking fellow of eighteen
joined Howard on his way to the store.
You must be feelin' pretty big OF late;
you hardly speak to feller when you
meet him. What's the matter with
YEP"
Nothing the matter that l know
Of" said Howard.
"Well, why the dickens didn't you
come round to Bill sharp's last night |
and have cigar with us? We'd gay
old time an lots o fun. tell ye. You
half promised to 60, an there's one
lime yer missed it in not kecpin' yer
word, sure"
Hush Dick" said Howard in an
Il wish you wouldn't
speak of my smoking right here on tho
street. l should loose my position if !
Jones should find it out. You prom !
sed me to keep quiet when you fooled
ne into it. I wished l had never
ouched a cigar. And never would
f l had known about getting this
place at the store"
"What business O. their'n, I'd like |
er know said Dick contemptuously. |
I'd be nobody's slave, can tell We that. !
I'd be independent bout my own af-
airs if had to paddle in that gutter
or livin'. So long as you don't
smoke under their nose it's just none
of their business"
"Well, don't know about that"
said Howard slowly. "They have their
'ules, and SO long as am in their en.-
oloy ! shall have to respect them-or
'ecm to do SO at least"
Don't they keep cigars to sellp'
lsked Dick.
yes"
"Well, what's the difference. I'd like !!
er know; aint it as bad to sell a thing !:
Is ter use it yerselfP'
"What l wish is that had your !;
,hance an the han'lin' o them
,igars" he continued. with furtive
,lance at Howard. "But you've secll
queamish notions as jest spiles you fer
\ chum. You'll be a splendid feller
when you git over them"
Here they parted, and Howard en-.
cred the store where he was em-
,loyed.
Through the influence of D ick and
ne or two ofhis companions Howard
lad learned to smoke about two
months previous He had now got so
IS to enjoy his cigar, but he would
,ladly have quit it if it had not been
or the continued influence of these as
ociates.
The country village in which the
tore of Jones 4 Co. stood did not
a va fhOao Il 10 ru n rs1o n ra ~ AZ fiwo a nj